Letters to the Editor published Saturday, Feb. 13, 2010

February 13, 2010 04:00 am

Vicki Cooley

Carol Faron

Ang Kunkleman,

organizers,

P.A.W.S. of Curry County

Each day thousands of puppies and kittens are born.

As long as these birth rates continue, there will never be enough homes for all these animals. As a result, millions of healthy, loving cats, dogs, kittens, and puppies face early deaths as a form of animal control. Others are left to fend for themselves against the elements, animals and cruel humans. By spaying or neutering you can help stop the suffering.

There is a crisis in this country of overpopulation of cats and dogs. There is a crisis in our own Curry County.

We keep hearing about it, but what are we DOING about it? While the South Coast Humane Society (SCHS) has a Community Outreach Program and offers spay/neuter assistance, it isn’t always enough.

So a small group of volunteers has come together to try and help. We have formed: “P.A.W.S. OF CURRY COUNTY,” Protecting Animal Welfare Spay-neuter.

P.A.W.S. OF CURRY COUNTY (P.A.W.S.-CC) has a simple plan to help reduce the overpopulation of cats in our community by offering financial assistance to animal lovers. There is a greater overpopulation of kittens and cats in our area, so at this time P.A.W.S.-CC will focus its efforts on our feline population. If we are successful in our efforts we would like to expand our help to puppies and dogs.

The last thing any one wants to hear about in this economy is another plea for a donation. Many readers will say we should be helping the “people” of Curry County and not the animals. But P.A.W.S.-CC is help for animals and people. By spaying and neutering, money can be saved on animal control. It also reduces the risk of someone being injured by trying to rescue a frightened, unwanted cat or kitten. But it can also help a friend or neighbor keep the pet they love.

P.A.W.S.-CC is a group of volunteers only. No salaries are paid, no utilities, no cleaning supplies, no office supplies, etc., to take away from our one goal. Every penny of your donation goes directly for spaying or neutering.

Here is how the plan will work.

When the need arises, when a cat or kitten is in need of spaying or neutering and the owner cannot afford to pay the full amount, and SCHS is unable to help, then Town & Country Animal Clinic, which has graciously agreed to join us in this project, will contact P.A.W.S.-CC. A check will then be written for half of the cost of the surgery and for pain medication to alleviate any unnecessary suffering.

Donations IN - Payments OUT, and you’ve saved countless lives.

Too simple ? Yes, there is a catch. We are not a nonprofit organization, so your donation will not be tax deductible. But we do not make a profit. We are starting small and therefore have decided not to become a nonprofit organization because of the expenses involved in doing so.

We have a P.O. Box and have opened an account at Umpqua Bank in Harbor for your donations. Records will of course be kept of all donations and checks written.

If you can find it in your heart to help us help others, a donation can be sent to:

P.A.W.S. OF CURRY COUNTY

P. O. BOX 3097

HARBOR, OR 97415

You will not only be helping the cats and kittens of Curry County, but also yourself, and your community.

Thank you.

Need people to follow the laws

Editor:

My fellow citizens, you will recall an article in the Curry Pilot about the city manager terminating Mr. Cowan for stealing from the City of Brookings (Pilot, Jan.2).

The article simply stated that Mr. Milliman terminated Mr. Cowan for stealing gasoline. I found it very peculiar that there was no mention of charges being brought, nor restitution to our city.

I called Mr. Milliman and the response I got was shocking. When I asked him if charges were filed, he said no. When I questioned him further he became rude and arrogant and told me in so many words that the matter was none of my business. He told me that the termination was punishment enough. What? Then I called the Curry Pilot to see if they were investigating further into this story: I was told they were not. Next I called the Brookings Police Department to report the crime. I spoke with a lieutenant who told me he was in an awkward position, because the police department reports to the city manager. He politely took my name and number; however, he never called back.

So, since no one in the city wanted to press felony charges for stealing taxpayers’ property, I called the district attorney’s office. I was told to write them a letter explaining what my concerns were, and I did so.

Lo and behold, the front page of Wednesday’s Pilot, Feb. 3, had an article indicating that Mr. Cowan has been charged with multiple crimes. Justice finally! I think the city council should bring Mr. Milliman in for a hearing on this matter. If others and myself hadn’t pursued this issue, Mr. Cowan walks away.

I think it is fair to tell you that Mr. Milliman seems to think that he is judge, jury and sentencing person. He was hired to protect the city’s business, property and taxpayers, not make legal decisions. I have nothing personal against any of the players involved; however, we need people in government that follow laws without being pushed.

Mike Schrum

Brookings

Wake up and get involved

Editor:

What a city council.

Gordon won with a write in of 25 votes. Piper was appointed. No one would run against Anderson. And now, a new councilor, with no prior record of experience, is appointed with a flip of a coin.

This leaves only one councilor, Hedenskog, who has any real legitimacy as a representative of the people.

Folks, democracy doesn’t work unless people get involved. And the Brookings city council is Exhibit #1.

Pat Sherman

Roseburg

Is something being hidden?

Editor:

I worked for Brookings-Harbor School District 17-C several years ago.

When I saw the front page story about a school board member being sanctioned for ethics violations (Pilot, Jan. 6), I read it several times. It is plain Ms. Fewell has ruffled some “good ol’ boy” feathers.

The fact that Tina Peters is married to a school board member, Brad Peters, and he was allowed to vote to censure Ms. Fewell is an obvious violation of number 14 of Standards of Conduct for board members. Acting Superintendent Brian Hodge allowing Mr. Peters to vote in the matter makes me question Mr. Hodge’s judgement and agenda.

Citing Oregon School Board Association as a reason to allow a board member to vote in a personal family matter shows poor judgement.

The complaint brought by Mrs. Peters involved an audit of Brookings-Harbor High School. Ms. Fewell was a private citizen when John Garner was BHSD superintendent and according to Mr. Hodge it was Garner who ordered the audit at Ms. Fewell’s request.

In August Mr. Hodge became the acting superintendent of BHSD. The audit was done in August. Payment for the audit had to have been approved by Mr. Hodge regardless of whether he ordered the audit or John Garner ordered it.

Now that $4,200 of the district’s money has been spent by a superintendent, not a board member or a private citizen, I think the full audit with all comment and recommendations made by auditors should be made public.

Since this school board voted 4-1 to censure Ms. Fewell for questioning Mrs. Peters honesty, let full disclosure of the audit exonerate Mrs. Peters. However, if the audit remains unavailable to the public it is possible there’s something being hidden. Thank you.

Shannon Tyner

Coos Bay

Tea Party/Sarah Palin a sad joke

Editor:

It isn’t April Fools Day yet, but one would think that it is if they listen to and read the so-called Tea Party pronouncements.

They celebrate their proclaimed nonpartisan, fiscal restraint ideology by holding their reported $500-plus-per-plate national conference and having as their star speaker that celebrated fiscally conservative and pro-nonpartisan, Sarah Palin.

Is this not the same Sarah Palin who, in true fiscally conservative mode, as mayor obtained a yearly average of $6.7 million in Congressional earmarks from your pockets and mine for her town of Wasilla, Alaska, population 6,700, from 2000- 2003? Yet when she left office, the town reportedly was $20 million in debt. And after two years as Alaska governor, the state’s budget had increased by 27 percent. Still, the state had no income tax and no sales tax, with it and Palin surrendering to the payouts of the Big Oil cartel.

And of course, she is so non-partisan that this darling of the Tea Party utters nonstop negative comments about Obama as president but has little of practical use to offer herself.

Nostalgically, the Tea Party forgets that the Bush-Cheney administration’s taxation policy was to give huge breaks to the wealthy, and to throw a few crumbs to us ordinary folks to placate us while running their inherited Clinton surplus into a huge deficit. If we take all of this Tea Party/Sarah Palin business seriously the sad joke is on us.

Jim Hansen

Brookings

Send global warming east

Editor:

I feel so sorry for those people back East, suffering through the bitter winter weather.

But I thought of an idea that might be of help. If you’re tired of the cold and the blizzards that keep storming, just e-mail Al Gore and he’ll send Global Warming.

Cuddy White

Brookings

Quote says much about Markham

Editor:

When (Brookings City Council candidate) Hedda Markham said, “The randomness of a lot makes us seem equal” (Feb. 10 Pilot), she lost any interest I may have had in voting for her in any future election.

Does she feel that her time on past committees makes her better than an educated, local, businessman?

There are several such men (and women) in the community who might disagree with her. I prefer the younger, family, community-minded, over the “retired” and politically motivated alternative!

Isn’t the city council best if it reflects the citizens it serves? Do we want these younger business-minded alumni of BHHS to take their businesses elsewhere? Just a thought.

By the way, congratulations Brent Hodges!

Wendy Riddle

Brookings

Dental health program for children continues

February is Dental Health Month!

Curry Cares for Kids, the children’s dental program sponsored by Curry County Public Health, would like to say thank you to The Gold Beach Community Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation, and to Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, for their recent generous grant awards to our program.

Access to dental care in our county is limited for many families by factors such as lack of transportation, lack of dental insurance, and the scarcity of dental professionals, especially in north county. This program relies entirely on grants and other contributions to bring this needed service to our community. Major contributors to this year’s program include Bethany Lutheran Church, First Baptist Church of Gold Beach, Curry General Hospital Health Network, Gold Beach Lions Club, Westlog Inc. Cal-Ore Life Flight, Port Orford Rotary, and Gold Beach Rotary.

Have you ever thought about how cavities get into teeth? Diet and oral hygiene habits play a major role, of course; but did you realize that cavities are caused by bacteria, and that it is actually a contagious, preventable disease? The infection is usually passed by parents to their children, by sharing eating utensils, or from such habits as the parent “cleaning” the pacifier by putting it in their mouth. Additionally, recent studies have shown that a majority of preterm labor is the result of gum disease in the expectant mothers. Steps can be taken early in the pregnancy to reduce or eliminate this risk.

Oral health screenings were conducted in four of our public schools last fall, and cavities were found in 34 percent to as high as 80 percent of those screened in various schools. In addition to providing direct care for children suffering from dental cavities, the program will work toward prevention through measures such as fluoride treatments and dental sealants. The program also aims to provide oral hygiene education in the schools, teaching good dental health habits to children and their families early on.

As always, I am so proud of how our community works together to provide needed services for its members, especially for the children. If anyone would like more information regarding the dental health program for children, either to make a contribution or to learn how to receive care at one of our clinics, they can contact the Public Health Department, 541-247-3300, and ask for Patty Savage or the children’s dental health program. Thank you.

Patricia Savage, pediatric nurse practitioner

Curry County Public Health

Dig deep into your hearts and visit the shelter

Kind, gentle readers: As February is upon us, it brings the second busiest holiday for restaurants, flower stores chocolate shops and jewelry stores.

The holiday that beats Valentine’s day is, of course, Mother’s Day. We go above and beyond, rushing to get the perfect gift, flowers or that divine dinner to express our love for that special sweetheart in our life.

Sometimes I feel bad that I am always begging for something for the shelter or the dogs that reside there. The folks that live in our county always respond with what is needed. Usually I ask for favors that require you to dig deep into you pocketbooks and spend.

This time I am asking you to dig deep into your hearts and come down to the shelter and love on a dog. It’s free and the dogs really enjoy being petted or walked. They don’t stink and if you have been to our shelter lately, it doesn’t stink either.

Right now we have a batch of puppies and their breath is the best smell ever. Puppies always bring a smile to your face.

We have several other fundraisers in the works. The next Curry County Animal Shelter fundraiser will be corned beef and cabbage at the Riverview Restaurant on March 17. Keep ears and eyes open for details and time. North county, we will be doing a pizza and beer fundraiser at Hard Rain Cafe in the spring, and south county, we’re drumming up ideas for your wonderful town to have a fundraiser.

We have several improvements we would like to do to the outside to give the shelter a “face lift” and I will keep you updated on those improvements.

We are asking for scrap lumber as the inmates are building dog houses so those folks who need a house can make a donation for a sturdy, well-built house for your dog to keep out of the weather when they aren’t on your bed.

Hope to see you at the show and hopefully at the shelter to give what a dog yearns to give you – unconditional love.

Happy Valentine’s Day.

Catherine Powers

Curry County Animal Shelter

Gold Beach

Dear neighbor, kitten season is coming!

Each day thousands of puppies and kittens are born.

As long as these birth rates continue, there will never be enough
homes for all these animals. As a result, millions of healthy, loving
cats, dogs, kittens, and puppies face early deaths as a form of animal
control. Others are left to fend for themselves against the elements,
animals and cruel humans. By spaying or neutering you can help stop
the suffering.

There is a crisis in this country of overpopulation of cats and dogs. There is a crisis in our own Curry County.

We keep hearing about it, but what are we DOING about it? While the
South Coast Humane Society (SCHS) has a Community Outreach Program and
offers spay/neuter assistance, it isn’t always enough.

So a small group of volunteers has come together to try and help. We
have formed: “P.A.W.S. OF CURRY COUNTY,” Protecting Animal Welfare
Spay-neuter.

P.A.W.S. OF CURRY COUNTY (P.A.W.S.-CC) has a simple plan to help
reduce the overpopulation of cats in our community by offering
financial assistance to animal lovers. There is a greater
overpopulation of kittens and cats in our area, so at this time
P.A.W.S.-CC will focus its efforts on our feline population. If we are
successful in our efforts we would like to expand our help to puppies
and dogs.

The last thing any one wants to hear about in this economy is
another plea for a donation. Many readers will say we should be helping
the “people” of Curry County and not the animals. But P.A.W.S.-CC is
help for animals and people. By spaying and neutering, money can be
saved on animal control. It also reduces the risk of someone being
injured by trying to rescue a frightened, unwanted cat or kitten. But
it can also help a friend or neighbor keep the pet they love.

P.A.W.S.-CC is a group of volunteers only. No salaries are paid, no
utilities, no cleaning supplies, no office supplies, etc., to take away
from our one goal. Every penny of your donation goes directly for
spaying or neutering.

Here is how the plan will work.

When the need arises, when a cat or kitten is in need of spaying or
neutering and the owner cannot afford to pay the full amount, and SCHS
is unable to help, then Town & Country Animal Clinic, which has
graciously agreed to join us in this project, will contact
P.A.W.S.-CC. A check will then be written for half of the cost of the
surgery and for pain medication to alleviate any unnecessary suffering.

Donations IN - Payments OUT, and you’ve saved countless lives.

Too simple ? Yes, there is a catch. We are not a nonprofit
organization, so your donation will not be tax deductible. But we do
not make a profit. We are starting small and therefore have decided not
to become a nonprofit organization because of the expenses involved in
doing so.

We have a P.O. Box and have opened an account at Umpqua Bank in
Harbor for your donations. Records will of course be kept of all
donations and checks written.

If you can find it in your heart to help us help others, a donation can be sent to:

P.A.W.S. OF CURRY COUNTY

P. O. BOX 3097

HARBOR, OR 97415

You will not only be helping the cats and kittens of Curry County, but also yourself, and your community.